--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint" <jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> Can't the calendar be changed slightly.> Missing 6 international players for a Champions League semi final > isn't normal.> No way this would happen in Europe :p> > --- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "Manuel" > <manuelgon_1999@y...> wrote:> > > > That's not the whole story, 6 players were flown from Germany in a > > private plane and played the game after only 36 hours of rest > having > > played 120 minutes vs Germany and 120 minutes against Argentina > > three days before. Paranaense would have been an easy prey under > > normal conditions. I was in the stadium and it was amazing to see > > our players giving it all well beyond what is normally expected.> > > > Our captain answered to the question of a reporter if it was too > > much to play two games in consecutive days in two different > > continents: "When I was a kid I played every day for free, bnow I'm > > being payed and for this great team and these colours I would do > > this for free."> > > > The team received a standing ovation by 70,000 fans after the game. > > Some players were crying.> > > > Amazing.> > > > --- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint" > > <jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> > > Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense were able to hold Chivas to a > 2-> > 2 > > > draw in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-final and > > > advanced to the final where they face Sao Paulo.> > > > > > Paranaense came into the match in confident style after > > comfortably > > > winning the first leg 3-0 last week in Curitiba. Chivas knew they > > had > > > to get an early goal to have any chance of qualifying for the > > final > > > and piled on the pressure with a strong focus on attack.> > > > > > Goalkeeper Diego and the goalposts saved Paranaense from a > Mexican > > > onslaught that could have easily been 3-0 to the home side as > > early > > > as of the first 15 minutes.> > > > > > Chivas clearly dominated their opponents and after many close > > calls > > > finally struck through Palencia in the 25th minute. The goal and > > the > > > noisy 70,000 plus crowd unsettled the Brazilian's and it looked > as > > if > > > Chivas would grab their second anytime.> > > > > > They came close on many opportunities but were not able to > > increase > > > their lead before the end of the half.> > > > > > Paranaense started the second half much better and for the first > > time > > > in the match were able to keep some possession. The Mexican's > > became > > > desperate and just focused on looking for their second, but this > > was > > > to prove fatal.> > > > > > Lima tapped in a cross from close range in the 68th minute and > > gave > > > Paranaense a vital away goal that meant Chivas needed to score > > four > > > more goals to advance.> > > > > > This meant they pushed almost everyone to the attack and left > huge > > > holes in their midfield and defence.> > > > > > In the 81st minute Lima ran almost the entire half of the pitch > > and > > > converted with one of the best goals of the Copa.> > > > > > By now Chivas had no chance of progressing and just looked to > > obtain > > > a draw for their loyal fans in the stadium. In the 86th minute > > Chivas > > > were given a dubious penalty that Palencia slotted home making > the > > > score 2-2 and that is how it remained.> > > > > > Atletico Paranaense won 5-2 on aggregate and face Sao Paulo in > the > > > two leg final of the Copa Libertadores.> > > > > > Paranaense will host the first leg next week, in a venue that has > > not > > > been decided yet, while the second leg will be played at the > > Morumbi > > > stadium.> > > > > > > > > Chivas: Sanchez, Medina, Rodriguez, Garcia, Salcido, Morales > > (Vela), > > > Sol, Alfaro (Peralta), A. Medina (Magallon), Palencia, Bravo > > > Coach:Benjamin Galindo> > > > > > Atletico Paranaense: Diego, Jancarlos, Danilo, Durval, Marcao, > > Cocito > > > (Tiago Vieira), Alan Bahia, Fabricio, Fernandinho (Andre Rocha), > > Lima > > > (Ticao), Aloisio > > > Coach: Antonio Lopes> > > > > > Stadium: Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara> > > Referee: Carlos Torres (Paraguay)> > > > > > ******************************************> > > > > > That's too bad after such a great start.> > > Just too stupid to miss such a big cup because your national > teams > > > plays friendly games abroad.

Champions League runners-up AC Milan have signed Italy striker Christian Vieri, who was released by neighbours Internazionale last week.

Contract until 2007Vieri, 32 next week, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the team that finished second in Serie A in 2004/05. "'Bobo' Vieri has officially joined Milan," said a statement on the Milan website. "The Rossoneri have signed the player and his contract will run until 30 June 2007."

Century of goalsVieri parted company with Inter by mutual consent last Friday, despite having a year left on his contract, following six seasons with the Nerazzurri in which he scored 102 goals in 143 league games. He will compete for a place in Milan's attack with Andriy Shevchenko, Filippo Inzaghi and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

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I think Milan is too big for him. I don't expect many goals from him this season.

Former Club Brugge boss Trond Sollied has been unveiled as the new coach of Greek champions Olympiacos.

'Working at a high level'The 46-year-old Norwegian, whose departure from Club Brugge was confirmed by the Belgian champions on 22 June, described the move as a big step in his career. "I chose Olympiacos for two reasons," he told a press conference today. "First, because they are in the Champions League, and second because I met club president Socrates Kokkalis who persuaded me that I will be working at a very high level.

'Everything in place to succeed'"I hope we will have a successful working relationship this year. It will be difficult to repeat last year's success of the league and cup double but I believe we have everything in place to succeed. Olympiacos is undoubtedly a big step in my career."

'Our ambitions coincide'Kokkalis added that Sollied represented Olympiacos's best choice of coach for the next two seasons. "His capabilities and ambitions coincide with ours," he said. "We hope this year we can produce some spectacular football, win titles in Greece and do better in Europe." Sollied's predecessor, 56-year-old Dusan Bajevic, left the Piraeus club a week after securing the double.

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Surprise, surprise...He even took our assistant coach and youth coach, but that's ok. We are changing all anyway. Would be nice to meet them in the CL.

It is expected that a new man will be at the helm of the Socceroos by next month - with Gerard Houllier in the running.

Coach of six years Frank Farina was dismissed last week and Football Federation Australia (FFA) are keen to get the new man in before August's friendly with Colombia in London.

In September Australia, due to join the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, face the Solomon Islands in a two-legged play-off to determine which nation represents Oceania in the showdown with the fifth-placed South American team in November.

The new coach could be a temporary appointment until qualifying is finished and Houllier, the coach of French champions Lyon, worked with the Australian team during the recent Confederations Cup and is a prime target for the FFA.

Other names in the frame are Bora Milutinovic, who has led China, Nigeria, America, Costa Rica and Mexico to the World Cup and ex-Japan coach Phillipe Troussier.

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Houllier shouldn't accept this. You can't be busy with a big and new team such as Lyon and Australia at the same time!

Toro are counting down the days to July 9th when they must stump up some £20m or face explusion from Serie A before kicking a ball in despair.

99 years of history is on the line, and bankruptcy awaits to stifle the good mood after the Granata achieved promotion from Serie B last season, after a playoff win over Perugia.

Amazingly, the paper work detailing a bond that covered the clubs debts, allowing Torino to register for the new season, was falsified by an agent who the club are suing for fraud. It is a similar mess that the likes of Napoli and Roma have found themselves in recently, while Fiorentina were forced to close and start from Serie C2 after being given numerous deadlines to pay-up.The rule has since been changed so now clubs are only demoted one division.

It is another sad story of financial crises in Italy, and another of its finest and oldest clubs are in deep trouble. Still, a number of Serie B outfits are unsurprisingly ready and willing to jump in should Torino be punished and forced to surrender their Serie A status.

"If we are called to play in Serie A then we will be ready and financially stable. A football club must be run like a business and that means balancing the books" beamed Treviso President Setten while Ascoli patron Roberto Benigni confirmed "We are prepared for any eventuality and are following events closely."

Torino will be able to appeal whatever verdict the Covisoc give after analysis of the Granata's finances, at the end of the week.

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You have to force them selling some players and of course forbid them buying new ones. Let their own youngsters try to avoid relegation.

--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint" <jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> Steven Gerrard has asked to leave Champions League winners Liveprool, > informed the red outfit this afternoon.> > 'The club has made it crystal clear we want to keep Steven at > Anfield,' read the club's statement.> > 'Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our > offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave > Liverpool.> > 'We very much regret the decision that has been taken," it concluded.> > A £32million offer on behalf of Chelsea for the Liverpool skipper was > apparently rejected by the Red management yesterday.> > Reports from Spain indicate Liga giants Real Madrid are ready to > offer £40 mil for the England star's services.> > The bidding is now open!> > ***********************************> > Well, there isn't a better time for him to move. Liverpool can hardly > do better than this year.

--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint" <jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> Toro are counting down the days to July 9th when they must stump up > some £20m or face explusion from Serie A before kicking a ball in > despair.> > 99 years of history is on the line, and bankruptcy awaits to stifle > the good mood after the Granata achieved promotion from Serie B last > season, after a playoff win over Perugia.> > Amazingly, the paper work detailing a bond that covered the clubs > debts, allowing Torino to register for the new season, was falsified > by an agent who the club are suing for fraud. It is a similar mess > that the likes of Napoli and Roma have found themselves in recently, > while Fiorentina were forced to close and start from Serie C2 after > being given numerous deadlines to pay-up.The rule has since been > changed so now clubs are only demoted one division.> > It is another sad story of financial crises in Italy, and another of > its finest and oldest clubs are in deep trouble. Still, a number of > Serie B outfits are unsurprisingly ready and willing to jump in > should Torino be punished and forced to surrender their Serie A > status.> > "If we are called to play in Serie A then we will be ready and > financially stable. A football club must be run like a business and > that means balancing the books" beamed Treviso President Setten while > Ascoli patron Roberto Benigni confirmed "We are prepared for any > eventuality and are following events closely."> > Torino will be able to appeal whatever verdict the Covisoc give after > analysis of the Granata's finances, at the end of the week.> > **********************************> > You have to force them selling some players and of course forbid them > buying new ones. Let their own youngsters try to avoid relegation.> > If another team gets the spot, it should normally be Perugia.

--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint"<jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> Steven Gerrard has asked to leave Champions League winners Liveprool, > informed the red outfit this afternoon.> > 'The club has made it crystal clear we want to keep Steven at > Anfield,' read the club's statement.> > 'Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our > offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave > Liverpool.> > 'We very much regret the decision that has been taken," it concluded.> > A £32million offer on behalf of Chelsea for the Liverpool skipper was > apparently rejected by the Red management yesterday.> > Reports from Spain indicate Liga giants Real Madrid are ready to > offer £40 mil for the England star's services.> > The bidding is now open!> > ***********************************> > Well, there isn't a better time for him to move. Liverpool can hardly > do better than this year.

surprised he found someone young enough to assault in the shit holethat is bedford

nick

--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint"<jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> Tottenham defender Callum Davenport was arrested after being accused > of assaulting a man at a nightclub.> > The youngster, who has represented England at U-21 level, was > released on bail following the incident in his home town of Bedford.> > "Bedfordshire Police were called to the Oxygen nightclub in Midland > Road following a report of a minor disturbance," said a police > spokesman.> > "Shortly after their arrival, police arrested one man on suspicion of > causing actual bodily harm and two others on suspicion of disorderly > conduct under the Public Order Act.> > "All the men, who were in their early 20s, were taken to Greyfriars > Police Station in the town.> > "The man arrested on suspicion causing actual bodily harm, and one of > the men arrested on suspicion or disorderly conduct, were later > released on police bail without charge.> > "The third man received an £80 fixed penalty notice."> > Davenport joined Spurs from Coventry for £1.1 million last summer, > but spent last season on loan at West Ham and Southampton.> > *****************************> > He was called a dirty Gunner :)

--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "Nick Morris" <n_i_c_k_17@y...> wrote:> think he should come to spurs. we would do well with him> > nick> > --- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint"> <jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> > Steven Gerrard has asked to leave Champions League winners Liveprool, > > informed the red outfit this afternoon.> > > > 'The club has made it crystal clear we want to keep Steven at > > Anfield,' read the club's statement.> > > > 'Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our > > offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave > > Liverpool.> > > > 'We very much regret the decision that has been taken," it concluded.> > > > A £32million offer on behalf of Chelsea for the Liverpool skipper was > > apparently rejected by the Red management yesterday.> > > > Reports from Spain indicate Liga giants Real Madrid are ready to > > offer £40 mil for the England star's services.> > > > The bidding is now open!> > > > ***********************************> > > > Well, there isn't a better time for him to move. Liverpool can hardly > > do better than this year.

Schalke midfielder Sven Vermant has completed a deal to rejoin his former club Bruges on a three-year deal.

"Sven Vermant was always an extremely valuable player, with good skills and a strong character," Schalke team manager Andreas Muller said.

"This move is the best thing for both sides and maybe we will see him again in the Champions League next season.

"Sven will always be a welcome guest at Schalke," he added.

His first stint at Brugge lasted from 1993 to 2001.

"Sven cannot wait to get started here," said Brugge technical director Marc Degryse. "He preferred to finish his career at Brugge than extend his stay in Gelsenkirchen. We are counting on him to help fill the gap left by Timmy Simons's departure, in terms of experience and leadership."

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Ok, now it's maybe time to stop bringing everyone back :pWho's next Daniel Amokachi?? :p

Butragueño: Yes Florentino, I think that we should buy Gerrard and lend it to Spurs for 5 years.Florentino: I think taht you are right, Spurs deserves it and we have enough players and money. Let's do it!Buitre: Yep, maybe they could get us in exchange some good seats for the 2012 Olympics!Floren: YEAH! Good idea!

--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "Nick Morris" <n_i_c_k_17@y...> wrote:> think he should come to spurs. we would do well with him> > nick> > --- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint"> <jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> > Steven Gerrard has asked to leave Champions League winners Liveprool, > > informed the red outfit this afternoon.> > > > 'The club has made it crystal clear we want to keep Steven at > > Anfield,' read the club's statement.> > > > 'Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our > > offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave > > Liverpool.> > > > 'We very much regret the decision that has been taken," it concluded.> > > > A £32million offer on behalf of Chelsea for the Liverpool skipper was > > apparently rejected by the Red management yesterday.> > > > Reports from Spain indicate Liga giants Real Madrid are ready to > > offer £40 mil for the England star's services.> > > > The bidding is now open!> > > > ***********************************> > > > Well, there isn't a better time for him to move. Liverpool can hardly > > do better than this year.

Steven Gerrard has all but committed himself to Liverpool for the rest of his career after a dramatic day ended with him thrashing out the details of a new long-term contract at the club's Melwood training ground this afternoon.

Barely 24 hours after Gerrard had informed Reds chief executive Rick Parry of his intention to leave, he is now on the verge of signing a four-year deal to complete an extraordinary and unexpected U-turn.

'He's staying,' said Parry. 'The whole thing will be sorted out in the next day or so.

'It is very welcome news. We are all absolutely delighted. Last night it did look as though it was going the other way so we are really thrilled.

'I am sure now he is going to stay for good. His commitment is complete and I am sure he will say that as well.'

Twelve months ago, Gerrard found himself in a similar situation when it was widely believed he would sign for Chelsea.

This morning, the 25-year-old woke up in his Merseyside home and once again had second thoughts over a career which looked set to send him to Stamford Bridge by the end of the week.

He then informed Parry of his decision to stay and has now pledged never to put the loyal supporters who barracked him into a similar situation again.

'The last five or six weeks were the hardest of my life because I wrongly believed the club did not want me,' he told the Liverpool Echo.

'I do not want to get into attaching blame to anyone. If I blame anyone it is myself.

'I wanted my future sorting out as soon as possible after the Champions League final but the longer it went on the more misunderstandings there were.

'I will be signing a deal, maybe even today. This will not happen again next summer or ever again as far as I'm concerned.'

This is the latest twist in an amazing six weeks since Liverpool lifted the European Cup with their sensational triumph over AC Milan in Istanbul.

At the time, Gerrard said he could not leave but with no contract offer forthcoming, he slowly started to believe his future lay elsewhere.

Supporters gathering outside Melwood this morning remained sceptical over Gerrard's motives, with one even hanging a 'Judas' banner from the training ground wall.

However, by lunchtime attitudes towards the Reds captain had softened as when Gerrard drove into the complex, as most of his team-mates were leaving following a training session he had been given permission to miss, the cheers were loud and long.

Whether such a welcome would be afforded to his agent Struan Marshall is debatable.

Most supporters believe Marshall to be the instigator of Gerrard's discontent, although the Huyton-born midfield player absolved him of any blame.

'I feel I must defend my agent Struan Marshall in this,' he said.

'He has taken a lot of stick but all along he has never done anything I did not ask him to.

'He is well respected at Liverpool and has done deals for me and other players in the past. He has conducted himself in the right way.

'He is a big factor in my decision to stay.

'I have committed my long-term future to the club and now I just want all this speculation to end - that is what I wanted all along.'

Parry declared himself satisfied with the day's dramatic events.

'The period has been a bit shorter than the protracted speculation of last year but maybe it has been more intense this time. But he is fully committed,' said the chief executive, who admitted he did not know why Gerrard had made such an abrupt about-turn but acknowledged the fans who backed him so much down the years must have played a major part.

'I just think he could not leave when it came down to it,' he said.

'His relationship with the fans and the club is strong and that has been proved again.

'Doubts crept into Steven's mind, I don't know why, but all that is history now.

'We can build a team around him and now we can start building for the game against TNS next week.'*********************************************************************

Sorry Jeremy, your post about Gerrard wanting to leave was in vain :))

Aid

--- In worldsoccerclub2@yahoogroups.com, "jer_vanlint" <jer_vanlint@y...> wrote:> Steven Gerrard has asked to leave Champions League winners Liveprool, > informed the red outfit this afternoon.> > 'The club has made it crystal clear we want to keep Steven at > Anfield,' read the club's statement.> > 'Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our > offer of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave > Liverpool.> > 'We very much regret the decision that has been taken," it concluded.> > A £32million offer on behalf of Chelsea for the Liverpool skipper was > apparently rejected by the Red management yesterday.> > Reports from Spain indicate Liga giants Real Madrid are ready to > offer £40 mil for the England star's services.> > The bidding is now open!> > ***********************************> > Well, there isn't a better time for him to move. Liverpool can hardly > do better than this year.